Variable-horse-power gas-engine.



A "Mu Ham. VARIABLE HORSE POWER GAS ENGINE.

APELIOATION FILED SEET. 20, 1909,

2 5HEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOI? l aimnse M Z6012 a Ti Gil- WITNESSES ATTORNEYS A. M. LBONI.VARIABLE HORSE POWER GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20, 1909.

Patented Jan 31 2"SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NVENITOH V WITNESSEHS [rm/ME rs,

, and exact description.

ALPHoNsn M.

LEONI, OFVHI'GHLANDQNEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AGRIGULTUR MACHINESIMPROVEMENT 00., or

NEW YORK, N. Y.

VARIABLE-HORSE'QOWEB GAS-ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALPHONSE M. LEoNr, a subject of the King of Italy,and a resident of Highland,'in.the county of Ulster and State of N ewYork have invented a new and Improved Variable Horse Power Gas Engine,of which the following is a full, clear,

This invention relates or gas engines.

The object of. the invention is. to produce a gas engine which may bearranged in such to explosionen'gines a way that the horse power may bemade to vary between wide limits. In otherwords, the engine isconstructed in such away that its horse power can be regulated not o'nlyby regulating the amount of explosion charge,

but also by regulating the explosionchanr berg'tself. In this way thehorse power may be set at any point desired between the maximum andminimum limit and,- furthermore, when at the maximum limit, the enginemay be Controlled by a governor. In any interme diate horsepower-position, the valves and sparking device are affected so" astoadapt them to the particular power'whieh the e11- gine is expected todevelop. I

The invention consistsin the construction and combination of parts to bemore fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in theclaims. 1

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevationand partial section of a gas engineconstructed according to my invention, certain parts being broken away;Fig. 2 is an end elevation and partial section, certain parts beingbroken away; and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view representing a portion ofthe shaft developed so as to indicate the relative positions of the camswhich operate the admission valve, the exhaust valve and the sparkerl,

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents the cylinder of aengine having an adn'iission port 2 near-the upper end thereof. The gasis admitted by an admission valve 3 having a valve stem 4 whichSpecification of LetterSlatnt. Patented J 3,1 1, 31, 1911, I Applicationfiled September 30, 1909.

Serial No. 518,469.

passes downwardly ing 5 of the engine,

through the base or-hous; as indicated. Near this admission valve 3, anexhaust valve 6 isprovided, which is also provided with a valve stem 7which passes downwardly through c down through the engine base, asindicated.

in Fig. 1. These stems against a collar 16 whichhas an antifriction,

bearing against balls 17 which run "on a collar 18. This collar thrustsagainst the end I ofa nut sleeve 19. The outer end-of this I nut sleeveis formed into a hub 20 which is rotatably mounted in the wall 21 of theend.

of the engine ase, as indicated in Fig. 1.

1s formed with an outwardly projecting or rods 4, 7, and 10,, areparallel with-each other, and their lower flange 23 which is received ina counterbore or seat 24; in the outer side of the wall, and

I At a suitable point this hub is formed into I an annular keeper plate25 is secured on the wall on the outer side, and' this plate projectsover the flange 23 and retains the hub,

although it permits it to'rotate.

I The nut sleeve 19 is of tubular form, and at its inner end is formedwith large screw I threads ,26, and the end of the adjusting shaft 15 isformed into a screw head-or screw 27 which engages the threads 26. Thecam sleeve ll is extended at its end remote from the hub 20 so as toform a cam shaft 28., This shaft 28 has an enlarged neck 29, which isprovided with keys 30 whichafford means for securing upon the shaft thehub 31 of a gear wheel 32. This gear wheel 32 isolfset towardthe right,as indicated, the

rim of the wheel being secured to inclined spokes 33. On the spokes 33,pivot pins 34 are provided'for securing governor w eights 35. Thesegovernor-weights are connected by a helical spring 36 which is extendedwhen the weights fly outwardly under the centrifugal force. The weights85nave toes 3T which project toward each other, but on opposite sides oftheshaft, and these-toes are adapted to cooperate at certain times withing 39 which is complete. revolutions while the cam shaft is making onerevolution. This .arrangement adapts the engine for operating as afour-cycle'engine.

The cylinder 1 which is mounted in the cylinder. central spindle 4C3which extends upwardly, andthis spindle .is formed near its upper has amovable head 41 a counterbore 42 of end with an adjusting screw 44 whichmakes a threaded engagement row on this view indicates the direction ofrotation. The cams are chamber. When with the hub 45 of a spider 46,said spider having legs 4:7 which extend downwardly and seat on theupper edgeof the cylinder casing, as will be readily understood; On thespindle 43 there is provided a i'gear wheel 47 and this gear wheelmeshes with air idler gear wheel 48 'which" ismounted on a suitable hub49 on the upper end of the cylinder casing." This idler 48 meshes with agear wheel 50 which is rigidly mounted on a vertical shaft 51whichextends down at the side of the cylinder, said shaft being suitablymounted in brackets 52, 53. The lower end ofthis shaft is provided witha helical gear 54: which meshes with the helical gear 22, as shown. Theupper endof the spindle 43 is providedwith a hand wheel 55 for rotatingthe same. It should be understood 1 thatwhen the hand-wheel 55 isrotated, the

cylinder head 4:1 can be moved up or down "in the end of the cylinder soas to enlarge or reduce the volume of the explosion chamber between thecylinder head and the piston. In Fig. 2 the cylinder head is shown inits most depressed position, which gives the most reduced volume for theexplosion the handle is rotated so as to raise the cylinder head, thegear 47 maintains contact with the gear 4c8 by reason of the fact thatthe gear 48 is of great width, as shown.

The arrangement of the cams on the cam l cam shaft, the key shaftis"illustrated in Fig, 3, in which view, the shaft is representeddeveloped. The arall formed integral with the cam sleeve.

This head is provided with'a I ly attached thereto edge 59.

is in line with the exhaust valve stem 7, while the inlet cam 57 is instem 4. A sparking cam 58 is provided which is in alineinent with thesparking stem 10. The direction of rotation is indicated by the arrow.The cam 56 is of rectangular form, while the inlet cam 57 has arectangular forward end witlrrespect to the direction of rotation, and acurved rear The cam 58 is in longitudinal axis inthe axis of thecamrhomboid and has its dined with respect to shaft. In addition tothis, the end of the cam 58"which is remote from the cam 57 is disposedforwardly with respect to the di-. rection of" rotation. The right endof the cam 57, that'is, the end disposed towardgreater weight.

the sparking cam 58, is .of than the opposite end. In the normalposition' of the cam is supposed to operate at about three horse power.In this position of the cam shaft, the shaft is disposed as far to theright'as the form of a,

shaft, the engine illustrated.

The exhaust cam 56 .line with the 7 possible, as 'viewed in Fig. 1. Thepath of the stems 7 4:, and l0,'as the cams pass them, will thencorrespond to the position of the dotted lines a, a a, shown on thesecams in Fig. 3. \Vhen the hand wheel 55 is ro-- tated-so as to increasethe volume of the compression chamber or explosion chamber, thecamshaft-will be shifted bodily toward the left in a manner which willbe described hereinafter, so that the stems and the sparker will comeopposite to the lines 6, b, and b on the cams. This will evidentlyincrease the length of the admission period so thata greater volume ofgas and air, which is to form the charge, will be admitted, It will alsobe evident that of the, valves this shifting of the cam shaft will alsoalter the ignition time so Of course, if

desired, changes in the relation of the cams may be made'so as to getdifierent special effects or results which may be required.

The end of the shaft 15 has a head 60 rigid- I by bolts (31, and thishead is envelopedb'yw a freely in and out in an opening-formed in thewall ofthe housing. A key 63 on the side of thisbushing slides in agroove in the edge of the opening, as indicated, so that the bushing 62,which slides head and shaft 15 cannot rotate though they r may shiftlongitudinally. On the inner side of the head a ball bearing 64 isformed for the end of the cam shaft, as shown.

When the hub 19 is rotated to shift the 63 holds the shaft 15 againstrotation, so that this shaft and the camshaft shift bodily to the left.When the cam shaft is shifted over to the 6-horsepower position, theshoulders 38 will be sion chamber 0 enin of the valve a cam shaftdisposed adapted for act on the cam-shaft to shift it toward the right,if the speed of the engine becomes toogreat. Shifting the camshaft tothe right reduces the period of admission and also, affectsthe sparkingtime so as'to reduce the powerthat the engine will develop.

If desired, the cam shaft can be set 'in different intermediatepositions, giving different intermediate periods of admission. In anyposition the volumeof the exploadmission period and to the sparkingtime.

Attention is called to the tapered or conical form of the cam 57 and tothe inclined position of its edge 59. On account'of this peculiar form,this cam will give a continu-' ous variation from the minimum period ofto the maximum period.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent,

1. In a head in the cylinder having means for adjusting it relatively tothe cylinder to regulate the capacity'of theexplosion chamber, a valvefor the cylinder, a valve mechanism adapted for operating said valve, acam shaft having graduated means adapted for operating the valvemechanism, the said cam shaft being adapted to be shifted longitudinallyof its length, means adapted for so shifting the cam shaft, and gearingconnecting the cylinder head with the last-mentioned means.-

2. In a gas engine, a cylinder having an explosive chamber, the capacityof which may be regulated, means adapted for regu-i lating the capacityof the explosion chamber,

to the axis of the cylinder having means, graduated longitudinallythereof, adapted for operating a valve, and igniting mechanism, the camshaft being adapted to be shifted relatively to the cylinder, -meansgearing connecting the first mentioned with the last-mentioned means. 5

In agas engine, a cylinder,.a head therefor adapted to be movedrelatively thereto, a spindle having a thread secured to the head, a nutsecured relatively to the spindle, in which the thread shaft havinggraduated means adapted to be shiftedrelatively to the cylinder, meansadapted to so shift ing connecting the tioned means.

4. A gas engine having a movable cylinder head,'means' for adjustingsaid cylinder head to regulate the volume of'the ex-. plosion chamber,a'camshaft valvies adapted to-be driventhereby, said cam shafthavspindle and the last-mencorresponds perfectly to the gas engine, acylinder, a movable horse power,

at an angle relativelyso shifting the cam shaft, andmeshes, a cam thecam shaft, and gear ing cams giving a different valve action when saidcam shaft isshifted longitudinally,and means for shifting said camhaftlongitudinally when saidcylinder hea V is adjusted.-

5. In a gas engine, a cylinder, a head. therefor adapted to be movedrelatively thereto, means adapted to so move the head, a shaft, gearingconnecting the said means with the shaft, a cam shaft disposed at anangle tothe first-mentioned "shaft, means adapted to shift vthe camshaft relatively to the cylinder, and shaft with thelast-mentionedmeans.

6. An explosion engine having a cylinder with a movable .cylinder head,means'fo'r adjusting said cylinder head to vary the volume oftheexplosion chamber, valves 'for controlling the admission and exhaustfrom' said cylinder, a shifting camshaft having cams controlling theaction ofsaid valves and adapted to produce diflerent valve actions whenshifted to different positions, and automatic means for shifting saidcam shaft when said cylinder head is adjusted.

7, An explosion engine having a cylinder with a movable cylinderhead,valves for controlling the admission and exhaust from said cylinder acam shaft mounted to we tate. and slide, resilient means .tending tohold said cam shaft against sliding, means for shifting said cam shaft.when said cylinder head is adjusted to give an increased and a governoradaptedv to shift said cam shaft when running at a maximum horse powerand tending to re ducesaid horse power. -8. An explosion engine having acylinder with a movable cylinder head, means for adjusting said cylinderhead, a sleeve nut, a screw received in said nut, a cam shaft rot'atablymounted and adapted to be shifted when said screw is shifted by saidnut, valves controlling the admission and exhaust from said cylinder,said cam shaft'having cams controlling the action of said valves, andmeans for controlling said cam shaft when said cylinder head isadjusted.

'9. An explosion engine having a cylin-- der, a mouablecylinder head insaid cylinder, means for adjusting said cylinder head, valvescontrolling the'flow to said cylinder,- a rotatable sleeve nut, meansfor rotati'ng said sleeve nut when'said cylinder head is gearingconnecting the said adjusted, a cam shaft rotatably mounted on saidsleeve'n'ut, and a screw in' connectionwitlrsaid-cam shaft and engagingsaid nut and affording means for shifting said cam shaft when said nutis rotated.

: 10. A gas engine .having a cylinder, a cylinder head adj ustablymounted in said cylinder, means for adjusting said head, a cam shaft,valves controlled by said cam shaft, means; for shifting said camiishaftsaid cam shaft, opposing to vary the power developed by said engine, aspring constraining said cam shaft toward a position giving" a maximumhorse power, and a governor adapted to cooperate with the action of saidspring and adapted to reduce the power developed by said engine.

11. In a gas engine, a cam shaft adapted for operating ignitingmechanism, athreaded r for shifting the cam member 'adapted to berotated, and means shaft adapted to be operated by the rotation of .thethreaded member.

12. In a gas engine, a cam shaft adapted for operating valve mechanism,a. threaded member, means for shifting the cam shaft adapted to beoperated by the threaded DIGYDbQI' HIId means adapted for engaging thethread on the threaded member to'operate it. 1

13. Ina gas engine, a cam shaft adapted for operating ignitingmechanism, athreaded member adapted to rotate, means for shifting thecam shaft in one direction adapted to be operated by the I rotation ofthe threaded member, means adapted for engaging the thread on thethreaded member to operate it, and governor mechanism adapted ashoulder, valve mechanism operated by the cam shaft, a

\ toe away for shifting the cam shaft in the opposite direction. 14. Ina gas engine, a cam shaft having adapted to be wheel mounted forrotating with the shaft, a member pivoted to the wheel, a toe on thepivoted member for engaging the shoulder to shift the cam shaft, and aspring yieldingly the said pivoted member with its from its shoulder. I

15. In a gas engine, a housing, a cani shaft having a shoulder disposedin the housing adapted for operating igniting mechanism,

a gear wheel, adapted to be driven by the engine, connected to the camshaft but which permits the cam shaft to be shifted relatively thereto,a member. with a weighted arm pivoted to the gear wheel, the memberhaving also a toe adapted to engage the shoulder on the cam shaft forshifting it.

16., In a gas engine, a cylinder having an explosion chamber, a movablehead in the cylinder having means for adjusting it relatively to thecylinder to regulate the capacity of the explosion chamber, ignitingmeans for the cylinder, a .cam shaft having means graduatedlongitudinally thereof for operating the igniting means, the cam shaftbeing adapted to be thrust relatively to the igniting means, and gearingconnecting the cylinder head with the cam shaft to shift the latter.

17. In a gas engine, a cylinder having an explosion chamber, a movablehead in the 'tively to the a ing means, earing for holding Y having aninner shoulder,

shoulder on the cam cylinder having means for adjusting it relacylinderto regulate the capacity of the explosion-ch amber, igniting meansforthe cylinder, a cam shaft having means graduated longitudinallythereof for operating the igniting means, the .cam shaft being adaptedto be thrust relatively to the ignit- 0 connecting the cylinder headwith the cam shaft to shift the latter,

and a governor connected with and adapted to move thecam shaft.

18. In a gas engine, a cam shaft adapted for operatingignitingmechanism, a threaded member, yielding means for shifting the cam shaftadapted to be operated by thethreaded membenand means adapted forengaging the thread on the threaded member to operate it. p

19. Ina gas engine having an explosion chamber, the capacity of whichmay be regulated, means adapted for regulating the capacity oftheexplosion chamber, a cam' a hollow cam shaft a shaft having athreaded'portion disposed within the cam shaft, a spring disposed withinthe hollow cam shaft around the second-mentioned shaft and against theshoulder, a threaded member which meshes with the threaded portion ofthe second-mentioned shaft and which is adapted for compressing thespring, and means for rotating the threaded member relatively to thesecond-mentioned shaft.

22. In a gas engine, a hollow cam sha'ft a shaft having a threadedportion disposed within the cam shaft, a spring disposedwithin thehollow cam shaft around the second-mentioned shaft and against tion ofthe second-mentioned shaft and which is adapted for compressing thespring, means for rotating the threaded member relatively to thesecond-mentioned shaft,- an outer wheel, the member having a toe forengaging the outer shoulder.

23.111 a gasengine,

the shoulder, a threaded member which meshes with the threaded por-' vshaft, a wheelkeyed to. thecam shaft, and a member pivoted to theexplosion chamber, a cam j i 125. ahollow cam shaft 1 member having aninner shoulder, a shaft having having a threaded portion disposed withinthreaded portion disposed within them-13athe hollow shaft, a

spring disposed within the hollow? cam shaft around the second-mentionedshaft and against the-shoulder, a threaded member which meshes with thethreaded portion of the second-mentioned shaft and which is adapted forcompressing the sprin means for rotating the threaded member relativelyto the second-mentioned shaft, an outer shoulder on the cam shaft, :1wheel keyed to the cam shaft, a governor weight pivoted to the wheel, atoe engaging the outer shoulder, and means for holding the toeyieldingly on the outer shoulder. 24. In a gas engine, a hollow camshaft having an inner shoulder, a shaft having a threaded portiondisposed within the cam shaft, a spring disposed within the holloweamshaft around the second-mentioned shaft and against the shoulder, athreaded which meshes with the threaded portion of the second-mentionedshaft and which is adapted for COl11] )1SSlD tl16 spring, means forrotatingthe threaded member relatively to the second-mentioned shaft, anouter shoulder on the am shaft, a wheel having a hub keyed to the camshaft, an

outer bearing for the hub, a governor weight pivoted tothe wheel, and atoe on the governor weight for engaging the outer shoulder.

25. In a gas engine, a cam shaft having an outer shoulder, a wheelhaving a hub keyed to the cain shaft, an outer bearing for the hub, agovernor weight pivoted to the wheel, and a toe on the governor weightfor engaging the outer shoulder.

26. In a gas engine, a casing, a hollow cam-shaft having an innershoulder, a shaft cylinder having means for ,cam .shaft, a springdisposed around the second-mentioned shaft and against the shoulder, thesecond-mentioned shaft being keyed to the casing but being adapted tobethrust relatively thereto, athreaded anember which meshes with thethreaded portion of the secondmentionet'lshaft and which is adaptedforpressing the spring, and means for rotating the secondmention'ed memberrelatively to the shaft.

27. In a gas engine, a cam shaft having a sl oulder, a spring engagingthe shoulder, a threaded member, asecond threaded member .meshing in thefirst threruiled member, which is adapted'for compressing the spring,and means for rotating the second threaded member relatively to thefirst threaded member. t

28. In a gas engine, a cylinder having an explosive chamber, a movablehead 'in the adjusting it 'relatively to the cylinder, to regulate theca paoity of the explosion chamber, a cam shaft having a shoulder, aspring engaging the shoulder, a threaded member, a second threadedmember GiUsEPrn MAGNI, Boooa GIUSEPPE.

meshing in the first I threaded member,'wh1ch 18 adapted for com-

